The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-25

all, though" with an impatient gesture and
little flash, you entertain me with praises
OF another woman's charms"
Il could not give you surer proof of my
confidence than to speak to you of my
cousin. had grown to look on you as my
friend, or | should not have done so. But I
do not think | shall talk of her again
There, at least, cannot count on the sym
pathy and interest you offered tonight"
why should you need sympathy on her
account!"
She did not look as if she meant to give
it, no matter how great the need. Her lip
curled slightly, and frown disfigured the
white broWs. | took sudden resolution
and answered quietly:
Because | loved my cousin, and-well,
you know the rest
Loved her. You do not then agree with
Mrs. Browning Whose poetry cannot bear
about that phrase Loved once?
Il do agree with her perfectly. At least
in my own case. l cannot Judge for 9th
ers. "
Then you love her still"
"Will you not sing for me'" asked, try
ing to smile.
"Will you not answer my question: she
persisted.
Eyes," / said. "Why should I shrink
from saying it, / do love her. l think l
shall love her until die"
"You think so9'
''How closely you question me! And yet
you do not seem sorry for me-"
Il am not sorry for you. lam not sorry for
any man who wastes his life in grieving for
girl who has Tilted him, to whom his love is
valueless. | think Mr. Grimes name for
such man the right one."
''Y gu mistake" | answered, coldly, ignor-
ing her last remark, though it angered me.
my love is not valueless to my cousin.
And do not blame her because she could
not change, at my bidding, the sisterly re-
gard she had for me into deeper feeling.
You are scarcely yourself this evening,
Miss Meredith. had better 60"
Very well, " languidly and haughtily.
''Pray call again"
A week later this note, on delicate violet
scented paper, was handed me:
II am nothing but a spoiled child. Every
body else humors me. Why should not
you: | have never before shown you how
horrid l can be, and you run away from me
as if | We're the plague Come back to me,
my friend, and l will be so good-oh! SO
good that you shall never repent it. :"
replied to the note in person. took the
book had spoken of, and had literary
feast in hearing a fine poem exquisitely rem
dered in the soft, rich voice whose perfect
modulations and tuneful cadences lent
new meaning to the poets fancy. What
Sl6 WOllIu Uldh6 LOT Il lonely
mani When we parted that night l asked
herwhen she would finish my book. She
said | might como the next evening but
one, unless, indeed, could spare morning
before that time. That, regretted, was
impossible. held her hand for half min
nto, and told her how much pleasure she had
given me. AT which she gave me lovely
smile.
| did not think that she cared for me- l
knew that she was full of coquetry. And
yet, like all women skilled in that art, she
had succeeded in making me think that she
preferred me to many others, so that l
might reasonably aspire to her hand.
Neither did deceive myself into believing,
for one moment, that l was in love with
her. had several times asked myself the
question if it might not be better for me if
ali weli--I was getting lonely. My life
did not satisfy me. Each time | had seen
her | had discovered some new accomplish
ment. She would make my home full of
warmth and elegance. She would preside
gracefully at my table. She would enter
tain my guests Superbly. Tonight she had
worn a dress of white null without orna-
ment save the white roses she wore at her
throat and in her shining braids. The most
critical taste could have suggested nothing
in the perfect pose of the girlish figure as
she sat and read. Ideal beauty in its rare
these she possessed What more could any
reasonably being desire!
l kept my appointment / must have
been earlier than usual The fire was not
kindled, and had waited full fifteen min
utes when, through the door which tine SER
vaut had carelessly left ajar, heard these
words:
"Love him! Ha! ha! That's too good
thought you knew me better, mother mine
g., Il
my losing my senses. | was born to rule,
not to love! Pshaw If he could have
known my disgust while he was moaning
over that girl whose role is TO be heroic.
Just the kind of thing to attract such men
as he But have made him do homage TO
my beauty. All! it's a triumph worth all
the trouble have had When know how
lie detestS such girls as | am in his heart!
And then my diamonds, my blazing,
splendid diamonds worth all that he owns
for all his proud name! If ! did love him,
if l were mad enough 20 love anybody, do
you think / would not sacrifice such non
sense for the sake of Victor's millions!
Shall tell you what l have done, l have
made a bet with Victor. You know mean
to marry him. He is rich, and like Fanny
Dorrit) there's no nonsense about him. He
dresses, and stay in the background las he
does now while others admire me, ii only
pet him little sometimes las do now and
tell him that he's the dearest old boy in the
world. / vowed that / would have that
man of stone at my feet. He promises me
those diamonds, the loveliest-oh the love
liest--the same that You refused me this win
ter--if | succeed. II fail | am to marry
him when he shall say. Il shall win! 1t
was on his lips last night but he is fearfully
slow and prudent. But to-night,-look at
me! Do you think shall fail tonight"
The dreamy, musical tones, the softly
vibrating, rhythmic tones of Clara Mere
dith's wonderful voice. But it was higher
pitched and sharper, each word uttered with
singing emphasis.
II have never yet failed and ] do not
mean % now. But you know nothing of the
triumph of beauty, poor, plain-faced
mother that you are. And art that he
PIRATES about (here she laughed again / am
more skilled In that than be dreamsm
Don't, Clara:n and heard mild voice
speak In gentle, hopeless protest.
A violent banging of doors, the rustic OF
a dress, and light steps along the passage,
and n vision of transcendent loyeiiness
burst upon me. Clara Meredith stood in the
centre OF the room, looking, IN her amber
hued gOsaamer robes, as II she had been
touched By s0ine fairys wand OF enchnnt-
Inent. One cleaning arm was extended,
and her eyes shone like stars. In spite ~
myself, started, with a murmur 81 adini'
ratlon Then / said smiling
Hfou have made AN elaborate toilet while
80. 100 ii.a tiIaaaltra IL Willing"